What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic arthritis condition that is commonly identified by the symmetry of its symptomology as it affects joints on both sides of the body. This distinguishes rheumatoid arthritis from different types of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis can also effect the nerves, blood, lungs, heart, eyes and skin.

Rheumatoid arthritis manifests typically by joint pain and swelling, fatigue or general malaise, and stiffness of the limbs upon waking up or after sitting for long periods of time. In this manner, rheumatoid arthritis can affect each patient in a number of different ways but this is usually after a substantial amount of time that occurs over many years – yet for some, this may happen quickly in a relatively short amount of time.

Rheumatoid arthritis is relatively rare, affecting little more than 1-percent of the population in the United States and is three times more common in women than men. However, the symptoms often appear to be more severe in men than they manifest in women.

Rheumatoid arthritis usually sets in while adults enter their 40's, but can develop while in childhood.

The Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis

Exactly what causes rheumatoid arthritis and why is unknown to researchers, but from what scientists gather it is a myriad of different genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors that contribute to create rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis triggers the body's immune system in such a way that it actually attacks the joints as well as organs. When the immune system is once triggered, cells the blood move into the joints and the connective tissue lining – these cells are called synovium. It is then that these cells produce inflammation within the joint.

As the cells increase in number and attacks become more frequent, there is irritation as the cartilage is worn down. As a result, the inflammation caused by the irritation produces an excessive amount of fluid.

How is Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated?

Of all the treatments surrounding rheumatoid arthritis, the traditional treatments are exercise, rest, medication and sometimes corrective surgery depending on the severity.

For the most part, medication is given to reduce swelling and inflammation, as well as pain relievers to decrease the joint pain during inflammation, usually in the form of ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, and other anti-inflammatory pain killers. There are also many different kinds of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs which are used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis which suppress the immune system's attacks on the joints, such as plaquenil, cytoxan, imuran, cyclosporine; biological treatments such as enbreal, orencia and rituxan.

However, perhaps the best treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is plenty of rest and exercise, especially during the periods of intense inflammation during which support devices such as a cane or walker may assist in mobility.